SOUTHLAND NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25458, 12 February 1944, Page 7

SOUTHLAND NEWS

OYSTER FLEET PREPARING (From a Correspondent) " INVERCARGILL, Feb. 11. Hie crews of the oyster vessels at Bluff are making final preparations for putting to sea on Tuesday next for the opening of the oyster season. Although a heavy load is lifted from the Foveaux Strait beds each year, their reproductive capacity is tremendous. In addition to supplying a great portion of the New Zealand market, there is a surplus supply which the oyster canning company at Bluff exports to Australia and to other parts of the world. Canned oysters are greatly appreciated by New Zealand servicemen abroad. Personal Mr John Page, formerly of Dunedin, who has been for 31 years physical instructor to the Southland High Schools, will r.o longer be responsible for the physical education of the girls. The recent growth of the two schools has made it impossible for one instructor, giving part-time service to each school, to cope with the situation. During! his long service at the Girls’ High School Mr Page has trained more than 3000 girls, and the physical displays they have given at public concerts and break-up ceremonies will be pleasantly remembered. Lieutenant J. R. Hanan, who was the Mayor of Invercargill when he enlisted for service overseas, returned yesterday on furlough from the Middle East. He was wounded in the Libyan campaign, and after convalescing returned to the front line. Farm Butter Before the rationing of butter was introduced there was an appreciable flow of farm-produced butted into Invercargill shops. Being a penny or so cheaper than factory butter and particularly suited for baking, this butter had a ready sale. Owing to the rationing, however, only factory butter is available for domestic consumption in the city, and those who still buy farm butter are really guilty of " black market ” operations. Some farm butter is being sent in to the cake kitchens, and. while this suits the largescale producer of farm butter, it is believed that many farmers with only a cow or two are not now making butter. This represents an economic loss that could have been avoided by making special provision In the rationing regulations for the sale of farm butter. Southland's climate is one in which children need plenty of protective foods. The vitamin A in butter is partieularly valuable in winter in keeping children free from chest complaints and colds.